garden RENAISSANCE
BRITS FLOCK TO THEIR GARDENS New Survey Reveals Outdoor Living Habits, Hassles and Must-Haves –
Trex decking
WINCHESTER, Va., June 2020 – After months of being cooped up inside – be it due to inclement weather or the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no question that Brits are ready to get outdoors. This pent-up demand for fresh air and open space is reinforced in the findings of a new survey* by Trex Company, the world’s #1 manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, and leader in high-performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products.
“Something wonderful that has come out of this period of staying at home is the fact that Brits have fallen back in love with their gardens,” said Indi Sarkaria, assistant product manager at Arbor Forest, exclusive UK distributor of Trex. “After months of being restricted, we are now flocking outside as restrictions begin to lift. There is no question about it, we are ready to embrace the outdoors and show off our outdoor spaces.”
According to the Trex survey, nearly all survey respondents (97%) indicated that it’s important that their home has an attractive and inviting outdoor living area. This is likely because, during fair weather months, nearly 9 out of 10 respondents (88%) do or would use their main outdoor living space nearly every day (47%) or at least several times a week (41%).
“Outdoor living has never been more popular – or more essential,” noted Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing for Trex Company. “Homeowners around the world are looking for ways to escape the stresses of life without risking the health and safety of their loved ones. A well-designed outdoor space can offer a refreshing change of scene and comfortable place to relax and regroup while connecting with nature.”
When it comes to how we use our outdoor spaces, the Trex survey found that relaxing (79%), gardening (61%) and spending time
with family (58%) topped the list of outdoor activities Brits engage in most outdoors. Also ranking high were reading (49%), cooking and grilling (47%), and sunbathing (45%).
Furthermore, the survey findings revealed insights into some of the top trends that will be popping up in gardens and backyards across the country this season.
Garden Getaways
Facing continued travel restrictions and limited recreational options, many homeowners are focused on turning their gardens into restful retreats. Inspired by home improvement shows and social media channels like Pinterest and Houzz, consumers are seeking ways to add comfort and function to their outdoor areas. Reflecting this trend, nearly 60% of survey respondents indicated that they plan to purchase new furniture for their outdoor space this year. More than half (51%) plan to add lighting and 41% are looking to install a new deck or outdoor flooring surface.
Materials Matter
When it comes to outfitting an outdoor space, survey respondents had definite opinions about the attributes that drive their purchasing decisions. Price, durability and aesthetics topped the list at 56%, 48% and 43%, respectively. Also ranking high were quality/performance (41%), maintenance requirements (40%), and ease of installation (34%).
While pavers, stone and timber remain popular options, eco-friendly alternatives like high-performance, low-maintenance composite decking meet more of the criteria on consumers’ checklists for outdoor flooring materials. Durable Trex® composite deckingis engineered with an exclusive high-traffic formulation and proprietary protective shell that resists stains, scratches and mold, while delivering an authentic wood-grain pattern in rich colors with realistic streaking. Trex decking won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter – and upkeep is hassle-free. The product requires no stripping, sanding or sealing, and cleans up
easily with just soap and water. Plus, the entire Trex decking portfolio is made from more than 95% recycled material, making it a purchase that feels as good as it performs.
Minimal Maintenance, Maximum Enjoyment
When presented with a dozen possible complaints related to their outdoor living space, “weather”-related issues and “lack of privacy” were the top concerns. It’s no surprise then that fencing (47%), a permanent shade structure – like a gazebo or pergola (35%), and lattice (33%) also ranked among the outdoor living products consumers are likely to purchase this year.
Another major complaint was that outdoor spaces require “too much work.” Nearly one-quarter (24%) of survey respondents reported that they spend a minimum of 13 hours during a typical year maintaining their outdoor space, including 10% who said they spend 25 hours or more on maintenance tasks.
“Let’s face it – cleaning and upkeep is the last thing anyone wants to do during their free time,” Sarkaria adds. “Keeping timber decking presentable calls for ongoing refinishing and repairs that require a lot of time, effort and materials. With low-maintenance composite decking, such as Trex, just an occasional cleaning with soap and water is all that’s needed, so homeowners can spend more time enjoying their outdoor spaces rather than maintaining them.”
For more information about high-performance Trex decking, railing and outdoor living products, visit https://uk.trex.com/.
*Trex Company 2020 International Survey, April 2020. Results are based on the responses of 300 adults, ages 18 and older, living in country who completed an online survey between April 11-20, 2020. Respondents were drawn from a research panel of nearly seven million consumers globally who have expressed a willingness to occasionally complete online surveys. Results are precise to +/- 6 percentage points with a 95% confidence level.